The agriculture ministry has stated that rains between end-February and mid-March had damaged crops standing on more than 10.67 million hectares (mHa). The states of Rajasthan followed by Uttar Pradesh and Haryana reported the maximum damage. The preliminary reports showed that wheat grown on 16.2 mHa sustained the maximum damage, followed by mustard on 1.77 mHa and pulses on 1.13 mHa.
The crop damage area could increase with the India Meteorological Department forecast of unseasonal rain toward eastern India, followed by hail and thunderstorms over north, northwest and central India stemming from a western disturbance, putting further pressure on farmers.
The previous bout of rain had hit large tracts of land under wheat, mustard, yellow peas, potato and other horticulture crops.